Vessel sealer and divider for large tissue structures

A bipolar forceps, comprising:

• a housing;
• a shaft affixed to the housing having jaw members at a distal end thereof;
• a drive assembly that moves the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for manipulating tissue;
• a movable handle rotatable about a pivot to force the drive assembly to move the jaw members between the first and second positions;
• a knife assembly having a movable knife rod that translates a knife blade between the jaw members when the jaw members are disposed in the second position;
• and
• a knife activating assembly in communication with the knife rod and configured to translate the knife blade upon actuation thereof, the knife activating assembly including first, second and third levers, the first lever actuatable by a user, the third lever in communication with the knife rod, and the second lever being the intermediary lever therebetween, wherein the second and third levers are pivotally coupled to the knife rod.